A 13-year-old female Grade 8 student died after she was shot in the head by an unidentified suspect while walking to school in Barangay Banyaga, Agoncillo, Batangas.

Authorities said a 9mm caliber firearm was used by the suspect.

PMAJ. Broderick Noprada, Officer-in-Charge of the Agoncillo Police Station, said people in the area reportedly thought that the suspect was escorting the student.

“Sa hindi malamang dahilan ay binaril niya ‘yung bata. ‘Yun nga ang akala kasi nila is parang naghahatid lang ng estudyante. Actually may isa nga dun na isang barangay tanod na nakabiruan pa ng suspek, kaso lang hindi niya masyadong namukhaan ‘yung suspek,” Noprada said.

After shooting the girl, the suspect fled the area immediately on board a motorcycle. 

Investigation is ongoing,  as of this writing, to determine the motive behind the shooting.

“We are already conducting [a] backtracking investigation and [a] follow up operation. We are checking dun sa mga CCTVs na andito sa national road ng Agoncillo,” Noprada said.

“Yung suspek natin is naka-jacket [at] naka-shorts, and gamit niya — isang hindi pa namin makuha yung mismong brand ng motor,” Noprada added.

According to the victim's sibling, they do not know why anyone would kill the girl. The victim reportedly had no conflict with anyone prior to the shooting. 

“Taong bahay lang po siya, lalabas lang ho [at] papasok [sa paaralan, o] bibili lang sa tindahan. Hindi po siya nagse-cellphone lagi, pinagbabawalan ko eh… hustisya ang kailangan, hindi na naawa sa aking kapatid, sa ulo pa binaril,” the victim’s sibling said.